John Simm's Revealing Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Loves to Unexplained Aversions

The initial song I fell in love with
My first memory is stepping into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was captivated by the audio textures, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”

The inaugural 45 I acquired
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a competition at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the mini disco we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The track I do at sing-along
I frankly do not enjoy karaoke and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.

The track I strangely remember each line to
I not long ago discovered that I can recall pretty much all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.

The perfect tune to put on at a gathering
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. Early doors it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it really kicks off, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.

The song I can not hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.

The ideal piece to get intimate to
Come Together by the Beatles.

The record that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and just learning to study the six-string, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was fixated on The King, Chuck Berry, the killer, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter introduced me to Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was electrifying rock ’n’roll. Instantly after he placed the record on the turntable, I was captivated.

The track that gets me up in the AM
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that gets me emotional
Most music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the harmony and utter brilliance of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard every time.

The track I’d like to be played at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.